AGARTALA, May 20 (TIWN): Union Minister for Textiles Santosh Kumar Gangwar on Wednesday laid foundation for Apparel and Garment Unit and Silk Printing Unit, first of its kind to be set up in the Left ruled Tripura in presence of Chief Minister Manik Sarkar. Adopted by the central govt. for the North Eastern States the first ever Apparel and Garment Unit in Tripura would be set up at Budjongnagar industrial estate with a cost of Rs. 18.18 crore whereas on yet another first of its kind in Tripura the Printing unit would be set up at Agartala Indranagar ITI with a cost of Rs. 3.41 crore. Laying the foundation stone at Agartala Nazrul Kalakshetra Union Minister S K Gangwar pitched for the development of the North eastern region. Gangwar said, “People of the NE region would be benefited large by both the projects of Garment Unit and Printing Unit.” Minister further added, “Govt. of India has decided to establish one modern apparel garment manufacturing centre in every state of NE with the objective of promoting entrepreneurship generating employment and creating skilled workforce by training the local population in the state.”

However, the project is entirely funded by Ministry of Textiles under North East Region Textile Promotion Scheme (NERTPS). The centre is estimated to generate employment of around 1200 persons here in the state Tripura along with other NE states. A total of 300 sewing machines would be provided for the park. 

National Buildings Construction Company (NBCC) entrusted the task to undertake the project has already started the construction work at Budjongnagar industrial estate of the state, said State Secretary to Industry and Commerce M Nagarju detailing the project.

He said that the entire work setting up the centre is expected to be completed by 3 months. Tripura Govt. has offered the land to set up the centres, said Nagaraju during the foundation stone laying ceremony.  

The garment units to be set up at Budjongnagar and Indranagar ITI will also be used for stitching uniform of paramilitary forces which may generate additional employment.

However during the ceremonial programme on Wednesday Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, State Chief Secretary Yash Pal Sing, Minister for State Industry and Commerce Tapan Chakroborty, Secretary for Ministry of Textiles S K Panda along with other officials remained present.

Under sericulture, for the year 2014-15 to 2016-17, eleven projects with a total cost of Rs. 485.24 crore, where Govt. of India share being Rs. 385.63 crore is approved for NE states.

Recently such textile park has been inaugurated at Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur, Assam and the next would come here in Tripura with Union Minister S K Gangwar on May 20 laid its foundation stone.

However, according to the officials the garments would be exported to neighbouring countries. All the units would be run by small entrepreneurs. A Textile Ministry representative would be associated with the selection of the entrepreneur and the unit's management.

The Tripura government would extend all out support for setting up of the park. It would create new opportunities in the industry-starved northeastern region, Nagaraju said.

The Government of Tripura is making all possible efforts to increase silk production through adaptation of modern techniques.